So, you've seen Curling in the Olympics or on TV, and you want to give it a shot. Maybe your team at work has signed up for Learn to Curl event. Or... maybe you have a friend who is a super enthusiastic curler and they won't stop talking about getting you to attend a Learn to Curl. However you found us, we aim to answer any of your questions!
- Do I need to know how to ice skate? Is it easy to fall?
Fortunately for most of us, skates are not needed (or wanted) for curling. Grippers are worn over your (clean) sneakers so that you can comfortably walk across the ice. As long as you are wearing your grippers, fall risk is minimal. The main risk of falling is present when you are delivering the stone with a traditional slide delivery, as you will place a slider under your leading foot in order to slide out onto the ice. However, you will be close to the ground when delivering the stone, so risk of injury is pretty minimal. If you choose to deliver with a delivery stick, chances of falling will be slim-to-none (more on that shortly!) - What should I wear? Should I bring anything?
The room temperature around our ice sheets is around 40° F, so you will likely want to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt. For ease of movement, we suggest wearing sweatpants, yoga pants, leggings, etc. instead of blue jeans, but it's up to you! Some of our curlers like to dress in layers, since you may start to warm up when you get moving! Additionally, you'll want to wear clean close-toed sneakers- no sandals, dress shoes or work boots.
Besides bringing yourself in your curling-appropriate attire, the only other thing you may want to bring is your water bottle- we have drink holders in the cold room so that you don't need to worry about getting thirsty! We also offer free water and coffee, as well as sodas, sports drinks, beer, and cocktails for purchase at our bar. Please note that outside alcohol is not allowed in our space, but anything else is free game! - Is curling hard on the body? What if I’ve got bad knees or a sore back?
We pride ourselves on the fact that curling is a very accessible sport for all, and we have accommodations for people of all ages and abilities. If someone is for any reason unable to deliver the stone using the traditional slide method, they can use a delivery stick to deliver the stone instead. The delivery stick allows the player to deliver the stone from an upright, standing position. Click here to watch a video that explains stick delivery. Many passionate curlers are able to continue to curl into their 70s and 80s! - What happens during a Learn to Curl?
Once you walk in the door, you'll first need to sign a waiver in order to curl at our club. While you are waiting for the event to start, you can relax, check out our warm room, and order a drink at the bar. We will start the event with an overview of basic curling rules and safety protocols. You'll then be instructed to put on your grippers (provided by us) and head out onto the ice. Club members will then give general instruction on stone delivery, sweeping, and basic curling mechanics. After this, we break into smaller groups so that participants can start to practice these techniques with the assistance of a club member. After everyone has the basics down, we'll break into teams and play a 4-end game! - Is there anything else I should know about curling before I show up?
In general, you will learn what you need to know at the Learn to Curl. But if you want some extra credit, we suggest checking out the rules of Curling Ettiquitte or our Curling University series. - How do I sign up?
You can check here for the list of upcoming Learn to Curls. Typically, these run from the end of September until mid-April, along with our curling season. Learn to Curls are priced at $20 per individual. We hope to see you there!
